I have purchased a 1999 Palomino Wrangler Hardside camper. I currently still own a 2005 Palomino bronco 1500. Both have a 3 way fridge. However the 2005 has an automatic switch and I think an auto light fridge if using gas. The 1999 has a manual switch, and manual pilot style fridge. They appear to be the same brand and size fridges.I like the fact that the night before the trip, I can cool the fridge using electric, then keep it mostly cool while driving using the auto 12v feature. (On the bronco)Is it worth the hassel of trying to swap it?

Just pwut it on a small inverter

something happened to my original post. I thought I typed that the 1999 fridge is a 3 way, but manual, and the 2005 fridge is a auto switch. I am not sure about the pilot light situation. I know the 1999 is a manual light with a push button at the top of the fridge, and there is no button. However, in the year and a half I had the popup, never used it on gas, only electric and 12v while driving.Just seeing everyone who wants to, 2 cent's worth on switching, or if it is more trouble than it's worth

If both are 3-way fridge's, one with auto switching and one with manual switching, the manual one will be the most reliable on switching. Auto ones will have their glitches and not switch right sometimes. Had both, my experience. Run it on gas when traveling. Just set the switch to gas and monitor it while traveling. (listen for the flame when you stop along the trip)

thetroutman4 wrote:If both are 3-way fridge's, one with auto switching and one with manual switching, the manual one will be the most reliable on switching. Auto ones will have their glitches and not switch right sometimes. Had both, my experience. Run it on gas when traveling. Just set the switch to gas and monitor it while traveling. (listen for the flame when you stop along the trip)I think careful consideration should be made on this post. I think it is very important.Years ago, I had to replace the coil on my manual fridge. I was going to upgrade to an automatic fridge. The owner of the company advised me to stay with the manual. He stated the automatic fridge would have a $100 Dinosaur board (or equivalent) to control the fridge. He said they had a high failure rate. He also pointed out they had a parasitic load on my 12-volt system, due to there constant demand for the 12-volts. He suggested I manually turn the knob, in lieu of having a computer which is known to fail do it.Wayne

If given the choice between a fridge that needs a knob turned to light it versus an auto fridge, I'd go with the manual type.It sucks coming back from being away for a couple days, finding your food spoiled because the 12 volt battery ran down and the fridge shut down. Having something that will continue keeping food cold regardless of the battery voltage can be useful.

swapping 3 way fridges | Good Sam Community

mlts22
Explorer
May 05, 2014
If given the choice between a fridge that needs a knob turned to light it versus an auto fridge, I'd go with the manual type.

It sucks coming back from being away for a couple days, finding your food spoiled because the 12 volt battery ran down and the fridge shut down. Having something that will continue keeping food cold regardless of the battery voltage can be useful.
Reddog1
Explorer II
May 05, 2014
thetroutman4 wrote:
If both are 3-way fridge's, one with auto switching and one with manual switching, the manual one will be the most reliable on switching. Auto ones will have their glitches and not switch right sometimes. Had both, my experience. Run it on gas when traveling. Just set the switch to gas and monitor it while traveling. (listen for the flame when you stop along the trip)
I think careful consideration should be made on this post. I think it is very important.

Years ago, I had to replace the coil on my manual fridge. I was going to upgrade to an automatic fridge. The owner of the company advised me to stay with the manual. He stated the automatic fridge would have a $100 Dinosaur board (or equivalent) to control the fridge. He said they had a high failure rate. He also pointed out they had a parasitic load on my 12-volt system, due to there constant demand for the 12-volts. He suggested I manually turn the knob, in lieu of having a computer which is known to fail do it.

Wayne
thetroutman4
Explorer
May 05, 2014
If both are 3-way fridge's, one with auto switching and one with manual switching, the manual one will be the most reliable on switching. Auto ones will have their glitches and not switch right sometimes. Had both, my experience. Run it on gas when traveling. Just set the switch to gas and monitor it while traveling. (listen for the flame when you stop along the trip)
tooldad1041
Explorer
May 05, 2014
something happened to my original post. I thought I typed that the 1999 fridge is a 3 way, but manual, and the 2005 fridge is a auto switch. I am not sure about the pilot light situation. I know the 1999 is a manual light with a push button at the top of the fridge, and there is no button. However, in the year and a half I had the popup, never used it on gas, only electric and 12v while driving.

Just seeing everyone who wants to, 2 cent's worth on switching, or if it is more trouble than it's worth
newman_fulltime
Explorer II
May 05, 2014
Just pwut it on a small inverter

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swapping 3 way fridges

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